Rafael stared blankly. "Mr. O'Higgins, w-what nonsense are you even saying?"
Stanley shook his head and barked, "Watch your mouth! Who gave you the guts to question me? I'm not making anything up. It all began over 100 years ago when I was just seven!
"You see him, the emperor on the golden throne? He was also seven back then. We met for the first time that year and instantly became best friends. All these years, I've thought constantly about returning to that palace to find him.
"But I knew I could never go back. So, I spent enormous effort and half my lifetime searching until I found this place."
Stanley's voice carried incomparable excitement and ecstatic joy.
Struggling, he tumbled down from his wheelchair. When his subordinates tried to help him up, he pushed them away. Under everyone's disbelieving gaze, the frail, withered man dropped to his knees.
He straightened his robes, then lowered himself, face to the floor, offering a full bow.
"Long live the Emperor! Long
